Vespa meeting in Argentina: 10th MDQ RUN
An unforgettable Vespa adventure in Mar del Plata: The 10th MDQ RUN
By Pachu Pasciullo, Argentina
Hello dear Vespa friends and travelling fans! I'm Pachu Pasciullo from Argentina and I'd like to tell you about a very special event that took place at the beginning of March in our beautiful coastal city of Mar del Plata. It's the MDQ RUN, an annual Vespa meeting that took place for the tenth time this year - from 7 to 9 March. In this blog post, I take you on a journey full of community, passion and unforgettable moments.
The journey: 800 kilometres on a Vespa - pure anticipation
For my colleagues from the Vespa Club Rosario and I, the adventure began on the journey. We set off from our home town of Rosario to Mar del Plata, which means a distance of around 800 kilometres in each direction. That's a total of around 1,600 kilometres on our beloved Vespas! For us, these long journeys are simply part of the experience: they not only connect us with our country, but also with each other and with the world of scooters, which we love so much.
Mar del Plata: tradition and charm on the Argentinian Atlantic coast
Mar del Plata is a very traditional coastal town on Argentina's Atlantic coast. Known for its beaches, vibrant nightlife and picturesque seafront promenade, it welcomes numerous tourists and vespisti from home and abroad every year. Despite a violent storm on 7 March, nothing could stop us from travelling to the Mar Azul Hotel and getting accredited for the big event.
The big day: 8 March
On Saturday, the actual meeting began with breakfast in the harbour area, right next to the golf course. We enjoyed a breathtaking view of the sea before setting off for the neighbouring town of Santa Clara del Mar in an impressive convoy of 230 Vespas. The streets were ours - an indescribable feeling that only Vespa riders can really understand: the freedom on two wheels, the wind and the waving of enthusiastic spectators at the side of the road.
After this detour, we returned to Mar del Plata to have lunch together at the "Legends" restaurant on Las Toscas beach, under the iconic Havana building. There we met many like-minded people from all over Argentina - from Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Bahía Blanca, San Juan, Arrecifes - and even Vespisti from Chile and Uruguay. With exciting conversations, good food and lots of laughter, the time flew by.
We ended the Saturday evening with a cosy dinner at Club Náutico Mar del Plata. It was the perfect end to an exciting day.
A farewell with wanderlust: 9 March
On Sunday, after breakfast together, we slowly made our way home again. Some of us stayed in Mar del Plata for a few more days to enjoy the sun and the beaches. In my case, I went back to Rosario, but the thought of all the great moments and new friendships warmed my heart. After all, we covered a total of 1,600 kilometres on our Vespas - a journey that can be exhausting, but also incredibly rewarding.
Outlook: "Rosario Vespa Giorni" in September
You think that's the end of the Vespa season for us? Not at all! A national Vespa meeting called "Rosario Vespa Giorni" will take place in Rosario on 19, 20 and 21 September. This will herald the start of spring here in Argentina. I would also like to cordially invite you to this event - whether as participants or visitors. It is a wonderful opportunity, especially for international guests, to get to know the country and its people and to share our passion for Vespas with us.
A complete success - despite the storm and rain
The tenth MDQ RUN in Mar del Plata was a complete success - despite the storm, the long journey and the huge distance that many of us had to cover. It is always impressive to see how people from different cities, provinces and even countries come together to celebrate their passion. I really hope that one day we can meet in person at one of these gatherings in Argentina. Who knows, maybe one day we will explore the beautiful areas of our huge country together on a Vespa.
On that note, a big hug to all Vespisti worldwide - stay safe on the road, enjoy life on two wheels and let's keep spreading this unique spirit!
Photo gallery: Vespa adventure in Mar del Plata - the 10th MDQ RUN
